Zespri has raised its forecast of grower returns for the 2011/12 season on the back of good fruit quality and higher than expected late market prices.
Returns for green kiwifruit will rise NZ$0.16 to NZ$7.04 per tray, Zespri Gold returns are up NZ$0.36 to NZ$11.83 per tray, an organic green is up NZ$0.05 to NZ$8.67, reported the Bay of Plenty Times.
“Following a tidy season close out with lower fruit loss, we are forecasting increases in all of the pool returns,” said Zespri’ chief financial officer Mery Dallas.
Zespri Gold returns were boosted in particular because of Chinese returns higher than forecast, and solid late season prices in South East Asia and Hong Kong.
Correspondingly, Zespri’s net profit forecast for the 2011/12 season has been shifted from the October prediction of NZ$7-10m to NZ$15-18m.
